The Unit responsible for enforcing law and maintaining security within the
confines of the military bases in Jamaica is the Jamaica Defence Force
Provost Unit. The Provost Unit was formed in 1962 and is one of the seven
sub-units that make up the Support and Services Battalion.

Main Roles:

Military Police patrolling the
grounds of Up Park
Camp

Military Police manning the main
entry to Up Park
Camp

Protection of military personnel who are at high risk

- Prevention of crime by providing high profile uniformed patrols to deter
and reduce the opportunity for crime.

- Law enforcement within the military community, and the maintenance of
military discipline.

Military Police Motto proudly displayed

“BY EXAMPLE WE LEAD” is the Unit’s Motto. The members of the unit are
referred to as military Police and stand out well, when compared to other
soldiers of the Force. The result is a Sub-Unit that epitomizes the
characteristics of what makes good soldiers.

Much emphasis is placed on discipline and professionalism within the Unit.
Once a soldier joins the Provost Unit, he or she is required to undergo
basic military police training. Other development courses are also provided
both locally and overseas.

The JDF Provost Unit comprises three platoons and is staffed by one Officer,
the Officer Commanding; and 98 Other Ranks. Two General Duty platoons are
responsible for the day to day policing of their base and the third, an
Administrative Platoon, takes care of the Detention Quarters, Special
Investigation Branch, Canine Section and Stores for the Unit.

The General Duty (GD) platoons duties cover the manning of the main gates,
camp patrolling and general security of the base at Up Park Camp, Kingston.
The Special Investigation Branch (SIB) conducts investigations, crime
analysis and provides information that drives the operations that are
conducted by the GD Platoons. The Canine Section provides operational
support as required by the Sub-Unit and for external Unit operations. The
dogs are used mainly to check luggage for en large deployments overseas. The
Red Fence Detention Quarters is used to incarcerate soldiers.

A group of soldiers proudly holds their
Military Police certification.

It is not all typical work at the Unit, and involvement in sports is
strongly supported. The sports program ensures the soldiers fitness through
participation in competitions such as football, drill, basketball and March
and Shoot. Not dropping their guard, and taking the sports program as
seriously as their policing duties, place the sub-unit at the top among the
other sub-units in the Battalion. In the past year, the Unit won the
athletics and cross country competitions and placed second in volleyball and
football

The Unit makes time for lighter activities and family fun days are one of
such. This is involved beach-outing and luncheon that include family members
and close friends of members of the Unit. These activities help to build and
maintain high morale among the Force military police. The Sub-Unit also host
fundraising events from which the Unit benefits.

The wealth of experience, discipline and knowledge soldiers gain as Military
Police serves not only to develop exemplary soldiers, but proves an asset
when the soldiers return to civilian life. A Military Police always stands
out above the average soldier. The Unit beckons to soldiers who desire to be
a ‘cut above the rest’.